Air Force leader Ellen Chiweshe made history this week. She became the second woman to lead an air base in Zimbabwe since 1980.
The 58-year-old started her air force career in 1988 at Suri Suri Air Base. She has returned there as its chief. The base now has a new name: Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Air Force Base.
Her rise marks a big change. Before her, only one other woman led an air base: Mildred Dengura, who ran Manyame Air Force Base from 2015 to 2016.
Airhead John Jacob Nzvede led the change of power event. Chiweshe took over from Nicholas Nyati, who had led for two years.
Born in Hwedza in 1967, Chiweshe attended St Annes Goto and Mutare Girls High. She joined the Air Force as an officer in 1988.
She learned much through the years. She earned a business degree from the Women's University. She trained at Kenya's Defense College. These studies helped her move up.
In 2016, she broke new ground. The Air Force made her an Air Commodore—the first woman at that rank. Leaders said she earned it through good work, not favor.
"It was a man's world," she said about her start. Yet she pushed ahead. She wants other women to reach high ranks. "Be firm, work hard, stay clear on your path," she tells young women officers.
Chiweshe began in the money office and led many parts of the force. She ran workshops and taught at Zimbabwe's Defense University and even led staff work at the Defense Force's main office.
Her life has many sides. She reads books and farms land she got from the state's land program.
As base chief, Chiweshe shows what women can do. Her path from trainee to leader proves women can win in places men once ruled alone.
Her work means more than personal success. It shows that the Air Force wants more women leaders. She plans to help other women rise in rank as she did.
The 58-year-old started her air force career in 1988 at Suri Suri Air Base. She has returned there as its chief. The base now has a new name: Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Air Force Base.
Her rise marks a big change. Before her, only one other woman led an air base: Mildred Dengura, who ran Manyame Air Force Base from 2015 to 2016.
Airhead John Jacob Nzvede led the change of power event. Chiweshe took over from Nicholas Nyati, who had led for two years.
Born in Hwedza in 1967, Chiweshe attended St Annes Goto and Mutare Girls High. She joined the Air Force as an officer in 1988.
She learned much through the years. She earned a business degree from the Women's University. She trained at Kenya's Defense College. These studies helped her move up.
In 2016, she broke new ground. The Air Force made her an Air Commodore—the first woman at that rank. Leaders said she earned it through good work, not favor.
"It was a man's world," she said about her start. Yet she pushed ahead. She wants other women to reach high ranks. "Be firm, work hard, stay clear on your path," she tells young women officers.
Chiweshe began in the money office and led many parts of the force. She ran workshops and taught at Zimbabwe's Defense University and even led staff work at the Defense Force's main office.
Her life has many sides. She reads books and farms land she got from the state's land program.
As base chief, Chiweshe shows what women can do. Her path from trainee to leader proves women can win in places men once ruled alone.
Her work means more than personal success. It shows that the Air Force wants more women leaders. She plans to help other women rise in rank as she did.
